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Alpine Observer - Myrtleford Times 170523

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THE ALPINE

BRIGHT - POREPUNKAH - MT BEAUTY - TAWONGA - TAWONGA SOUTH Wednesday, May 17, 2023

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GRAB A CUPPA EVENT organisers Tony Strachan, Lory Torriero and Renata Armishaw were selling raffle tickets last week for this year’s Biggest Morning Tea at the Bright Senior Citizens Centre tomorrow morning. PHOTO: Brodie Everist  Story page 12.

HOT RUN CONTINUES

Getting washed away Concerns raised C i d over erosion i and d iimpacts on llocall waterways caused db by mass tree-felling f lli LOCAL environmentalists have raised concerns over potential erosion on steep pine plantation sites in the Ovens Valley, potentially undermining efforts by local groups to improve riparian sites and the health of local waterways. Cam Walker, campaigns cocoordinator for environmental organisation Friends of the Earth, said he sent a letter to HVP Plantations in April outlining concerns over the mass clearing of vegetation by the company, but even after sending follow-up emails he has received no response. The letter, sighted by the

BY BRODIE EVERIST beverist@ nemedia.com.au

Myrtleford Times/Alpine Observer, said there was significant potential for mass erosion across the North East from blanket clearing of slopes due to harvesting. It asks HVP to commit to planting native plant species on drainage lines - where water naturally collects and runs down the steep hills - and exclude these areas from future harvesting to prevent erosion.

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“We feel that this is a reasonable proposal which will protect soils, improve water quality and reduce erosion from harvested slopes, and increase local biodiversity while allowing HVP to continue with its planting and harvesting activities,” the letter reads. Martyn Paterson, vice president of the Upper Ovens Landcare, said he has seen first-hand the silting up of the decommissioned reservoir at Baker’s Gully, which purportedly is habitat for platypus, and said the clearing of pine plantations

was partly to blame. “Little or no vegetation has been left,” he said. “As it’s on a hillside, we have to look at the consequences of what happens when water hits those areas.” Mr Paterson said new housing developments nearby would also be causing erosion. “We have to be cautious when building plots - levelling off of the block for development - to make sure that those blocks don’t erode away into watercourses,” he said. Mr Paterson and Mr Walker, who lives part-time in Dinner Plain, said they understood

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the pine industry was important to the local economy. “We understand you are going to harvest them and you’re going to replant them, let’s just make it less erosion and slightly more sustainable in that next cycle,” Mr Walker said. Mick Evans, HVP Plantations northern region general manager, said HVP and many members of the community share interests in the care for protection of soil, water, native flora and fauna, cultural heritage and recreation values. “Operations are planned and implemented with appropriate methods to match indi-

vidual site conditions,” he said. “This includes employing the right plant, equipment and expertise for managing steep and complex sites in our Ovens Valley plantations. “HVP’s high standard of environmental stewardship is demonstrated through our voluntary participation in two separate sustainable forest management certification schemes. “HVP has been dual certified continuously to these programs since 2007.” North East Catchment Management Authority declined to comment.


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